06DUBLIN891

Not guilty verdict in Pitstop Ploughshares case reported. Embassy were unclear of legal implications. Issue raised with Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary General at the Deptment of Justice. Follow ups at senior level with Foreign Affairs and Justice. Reports that Irish government officials were "surprised by verdict" but there was no legal precedent because it was a jury verdict. Said that Senator Brendan Daly raised the issue with Attorney General and intended to request the DPP to take case to Court of Criminal Appeal. Ambassador wants to know if the US Government want to press charges in a US court. He said that anti-war protestors were emboldened by the verdict and want to shut the airport until it is demilitarized. Ambassador doubts plans will amount to anything. Puts forward a view of some media commentators that this could justify "a gamut of violent crimes" - gives example of damaging vehicle. GOI have reassured the Ambassador on the continued availability of Shannon to military transits and expressed sympathy on the verdict.